Monthly Archives: October 2013

Watch out for the best times to make du’a. So we can reap as much benefit as possible

Among the times are

1. After the Last Tashahud of Prayer and Before the Tasleem

Ibn Mas’ud narrates: I was once praying, and the Prophet (SAW), Abu Bakr and Umar (were all present). When I sat down (in the final tashahhud), I praised Allah, then sent salams on the Prophet, then started praying for myself. At this, the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘Ask, and you shall be given it! Ask, and you shall be given it!’ [at-Tirmidhi #593 – hasan, Mishkat al-Misbah #931]

During prayer, a worshipper speaks privately to his Lord, praising Him, invoking Him, and prostrating to Him. Then at the end of the prayer, if the worshipper supplicates to his Lord, the likelihood of his supplication being answered increases. The Prophet sallalhu alaihi wasalam makes supplication after the tashahud. It is not compulsory though.

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said: ‘When you hear a rooster crowing, then ask Allah for His bounties, for it has seen an angel, and when you hear a donkey braying, then seek refuge in Allah from Shaitan, for it has seen a Shaitan’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad, Sahih al-Jami #611]

3. Last Third of The Night

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; “Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?.”‘ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

Amr ibn Absah narrated that the Prophet said: ‘The closest any worshiper can be to His Lord is during the last part of the night, so if you can be amongst those who remember Allah at that time, then do so.'[at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i, al-Hakim – Sahih]

When people are sleeping and busy with worldly pleasures Allah (SWT) gives the believers an opportunity, or an answer hour if they can fight sleep and invoke Allah (SWT) for whatever they need. The Prophet (SAW) said: ‘There is at night an hour, no Muslim happens to be asking Allah any matter of this world or the Hereafter, except that he will be given it, and this (occurs) every night.’[Muslim #757]

4. When You are Prostrating

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW), said: ‘The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke (supplicate) Allah (SWT) much in it. [Muslim, abu Dawud, an-Nasa’i and others, Sahih al-Jami #1175]

A slave of Allah is closest to his Lord while he is prostrating perhaps because of servitude, the submission and humility. A person who prostrates places his forehead on the same ground that people walk on. In that position of humility and lowness, he verbally acknowledges the perfection of Allah and saying Subhan Rabbiyal A’alaa. Being in this position, the supplicant is the closest he becomes to his Lord and is tehrefore likely to have his supplication answered. Allah knows best.

Let’s not waste our time during this precious moment that we will find five times in a day Insya Allah.

6. On Friday during an hour which supplication is answered

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiAllahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) talked about Friday and said: ‘There is an hour o­n Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat (prayer) and asks something from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) will definitely meet his demand.’ And he (the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands. [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Some have said that this hour is from the time the Imam (prayer’s leader) enters the mosque o­n Friday’s prayer until the prayer is over (ie between the two khutbahs), whereas others have said that it is the last hour of the day (ie after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib prayer).

(Note: when we say an hour here we do not mean the hour everyone knows (60 minutes) but an unspecified period of time because the time counters which we use today came after the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) had died.

7. When a fasting person breaks his fast

The prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared, ‘Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the o­ne who is oppressed.’[Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan]

8. The du’a of those who are wronged

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said to Mua’ad Ibn Jabal (radiAllahu anhu), ‘Beware of the supplication of the unjustly treated, because there is no shelter or veil between it (the supplication of the o­ne who is suffering injustice) and Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)’ [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another hadith; The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) declared: ‘Three du’as are surely answered: The du’a of the oppressed, the du’a of the traveler, and the du’a of the father/mother (upon their child)’

The o­ne who is suffering injustice is heard by Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) when he invokes Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) to retain his rights from the unjust o­ne or oppressor. Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) has sworn to help the o­ne who is suffering from injustice sooner or later as the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said.

So beware not to oppress or wrong anyone. If you are a boss or a head, beware not to treat someone lower than you without just. Remember their du’a is accepted and God helps us if they make du’a against us.

9. During Battle

When the Muslim is facing the enemy in battle, at this critical period, the du’a of a worshipper is accepted.

Sahl ibn Sa’d (radiAllahu anhu) narrtaed the the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two duas are never rejected, or rarely rejected: the du’a during the call for prayer, and the du’a during the clamity when the two armies attack each other’ [abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah, al-Hakim]

In another narration: ‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’[reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

10. When its is Raining

Narrated Sahel Ibn Sa’ad (radiAllahu anhu): that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘Two will not be rejected, Supplication when the Adhan (call of prayer) is being called, and at the time of the rain’. [Al-Hakim 2: 114, and Abu Dawud #2540, ibn Majah]

‘Seek the response to your du’as when the armies meet, and the prayer is called, and when rain falls’ [reported by Imam al-Shafi’ in al-Umm, al-Sahihah #1469]

The time of the rain is a time of mercy from Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) so, o­ne should take advantage of this time when Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) is having mercy o­n His slaves.

11. The night of Arafah

For those performing hajj

The Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said: ‘The best supplication is the supplication o­n the day of Arafat’.[at-Tirmidhi and Malik]

The day of Arafat is the essence and pinnacle of Hajj. o­n this great and momentous day, millions of worshippers gather together o­n o­ne plain, from every corner of the world, with o­nly o­ne purpose in mind – to respone to the call of their Creator. During this auspicious day, Allah does not refuse the requests of His worshippers.

12. At Safa and Marwa

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would make long du’as at Safa and Marwah. [Muslim #1218 and others]

The next trip we make, we shall make longer du’a Insya Allah.

13. Du’a at the stoning laces in jamrah in mina

For the ones who perform hajj

It is narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would stone the small Jamarah (one of the three pillars that is stoned in the last days of Hajj), then face the qiblah, raise his hands, and make du’a for a long time. He would then stone the middle Jamarah and do the same. When he stoned the large Jamarah, he would depart without making any du’a. [Sahih al-Bukhari #1753 and others]

Narated By ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdullah RA : I saw ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar RA crossing his legs while sitting in the prayer and I, a mere youngster in those days, did the same. Ibn ‘Umar forbade me to do so, and said, “The proper way is to keep the right foot propped up and bend the left in the prayer.” I said questioningly, “But you are doing so (crossing the legs).” He said, “My feet cannot bear my weight.”

SAHIH BUKHARI (Volume 1 Book #12, Hadith #791)

Narrated by Muhammad bin ‘Amr bin ‘Ata’

Abu Humaid As-Saidi said, “I remember the prayer of Allah’s Apostle better than any one of you. … On sitting in the second Rak’a he sat on his left foot and propped up the right one; and in the last Rak’a he pushed his left foot forward and kept the other foot propped up and sat over the buttocks.”

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Zubayr said:

When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat during the prayer, he would place his left foot between his thigh and calf, and tuck his right foot underneath him, and place his left hand on his left knee, and place his right hand on his right thigh, and point with his finger.

Also

Also, “Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasalam forbade a man who was sitting in prayer resting on his left hand, and said: Verily, that is the prayer of the Jews; in one wording, Do not sit like this, for indeed this is the way of sitting of those who are punished; in another hadeeth, It is the sitting posture of those who incurred (Allaah’s) anger.184

Lesson.

1. In tashahud awal, one must prop up the right foot, bend the left foot while sitting on the left foot.

2. In tashahud akhir, one must also prop their right foot, but push the left foot between his thigh and calf while placing the left upper thigh and buttocks on the floor. The left palm covers the left knee, leaning heavily on it. This is called Mutawarrikan.

3. Left hand must be placed on left knee while right hand on the right thigh with finger pointing forward.

4. Do not rest on the left hand

What to Say in Tashahud

First tashahud

For the last tashahud, one repeats what was read as the first tashahud and continue with the greetings of Prophet Muhammad sallahu alaihi wasalam and his family and also Prophet Ibrahim alaihi salam.

Fudalah b. ‘Ubaid reported that

the Prophet (s) heard a man supplicating during prayer. He did not glorify Allah, nor did he invoke blessings on the Prophet. The Prophet (s) said, “He has been hasty.” Then he called the man and said either to him, or to someone else, “When any one of you prays, he should begin by glorifying and praising his Lord and then he should invoke blessings on the Prophet, peace be upon him, and after that he should supplicate Allah for anything he wishes.”

In the tashahud this is what we are doing, in the first part we are glorifying Allah and in the second part we are sending salah to Prophet Muhammad allahu alaihi wasalam. This is to prepare you to make du’a before you give salam and ending the prayer.

Narrated Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Laila:

Ka’b bin Ujrah met me and said, “Shall I not give you a present I got from the Prophet?” ‘Abdur-Rahman said, “Yes, give it to me.” I said, “We asked Allah’s Apostle saying, ‘O Allah’s Apostle! How should one (ask Allah to) send blessings on you, the members of the family, for Allah has taught us how to salute you (in the prayer)?’ He said:-

Say: O Allah! Send Your Mercy on Muhammad and on the family of Muhammad, as You sent Your Mercy on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious. O Allah! Send Your blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent your blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham, for You are the Most Praise-worthy, the Most Glorious.’ ” (The arabic words above)

Raising the Index Finger During the Tashahud

We will be using the fatwa in ISLAMQA concerning the matter Insya Allah.

Lesson

1. To point the index finger. And also making a circle with the middle finger and the thimb

2. To make sure it is pointing towards qiblah

3. To move the finger as according to the du’a recited

4. To look at the finger all throughout

Every time you make du’aa’ you should point your finger, indicating the greatness of the One to Whom you are making du’aa’.

Other Highlights

In a two rakaah prayer (Fajr), the sitting of the final rakaah is Muftarishan i.e. as the sitting of tashahud awal.

Tayammum : Dry wudhu’ or ghusl that replaces wudhu’ and ghusl in the absence of water.

It is a symbolic ablution to obtain purification when water is not available.

The Story Behind It

Al-Bukhari recorded that `A’ishah said, “We set out with Allah’s Messenger on one of his journeys until we reached Al-Bayda’ or Dhat-ul-Jaysh, where a necklace of mine was broken (and lost). Allah’s Messenger stayed there to search for it, and so did the people along with him. There was no water source or any water with them at that place, so the people went to Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and said, `Don’t you see what `A’ishah has done! She has made Allah’s Messenger and the people stay where there is no source of water and they have no water with them.’ Abu Bakr came while Allah’s Messenger was sleeping with his head on my thigh. He said to me, `You have detained Allah’s Messenger and the people where there is no source of water and they have no water with them.’ So he admonished me and said what Allah wished him to say and hit me on my flank with his hand. Nothing prevented me from moving (because of pain) but the position of Allah’s Messenger on my thigh. Allah’s Messenger got up when dawn broke and there was no water. So Allah revealed the verses of Tayammum, and they all performed Tayammum. Usayd bin Hudayr said, `O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours.’ Then the camel on which I was riding was moved from its place and the necklace was found beneath it.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded this Hadith.

The verse that was sent down concerning tayammum

An Nisa’ 4: 43.

and if You are ill, or on a journey, or one of You comes after answering the call of nature, or You have been In contact with women (by sexual relations) and You find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith Your faces and hands (Tayammum) . Truly, Allâh is ever Oft­Pardoning, Oft­Forgiving.

There are many hadith concerning tayammum. This is one of them

Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi salam said,

“Pure earth is for for purification for a Muslim even if he does not find water for ten years.” (Authentic hadeeth reported by an Nasaa’ee and Ibn Hibbaan)

When Does Tayammum Become Lawful

Basically one can perform tayammum when
i. There is no access of water
ii. When one is ill and is not able to use water.

Some possible cases of no water that allows one to perform tayammum
i. When there is no water after one searches for it.
– This include if you have water that is only enough for drinking.
– Example : Bad drought in Somalia.

ii. When there is danger to access water.
– In this case there is water but it may be dangerous for one to take the water.
– For example water dam or river is controlled by enemies.

iii. You are unable to get water even when there is water.
– For example one who is sick and not able to move much and no one to bring water to them.

Some possible cases of one who is ill and not able to use water
i. Water will hurt the sick person
– For example being severely burned on their wudhu’ organs.
ii. Severely cold weather and no access of hot water.
– This is especially more for ghusl.

For sick person
– If you break your arm and have a cast on it.
o Take wudhu’ as you normally would on the other part of the wudhu’ limbs.
o Just wipe over the cast as per the wudhu’ ritual.
o Same as ghusl, take bath over other areas and just wipe over the cast area.

– If you have burn only on your arm and you can move. And the burn area is not covered nor can it be wiped over.
o Take wudhu’ as you normally move on the other part of the wudhu’ limbs.
o Complete your wudhu’ by making a tayammum.

– If it is not possible for you to move much because of severe sickness, tayammum will be sufficient for you Insya Allah.

What Acts Can We Do With Tayammum

We use tayammum instead of ghusl and wudhu’in the condition that we cannot have access to water. So just as wudhu’ , with tayammum you can
– Solah, make tawaf, touch quran.
And using tayammum for ghusl allows you to
– Solah, hajj and umrah, sit in the masjid, touch quran.

a. If someone performs a tayammum and then prayed and after that they find water, the solah is valid. He needs to take proper wudhu’ for the next prayer even though he did not invalidate his tayammum though.

b. If someone performs tayammum and has not prayed and then he found water – the tayammum becomes invalid and he needs to take wudhu’.

c. If someone performs tayammum and is praying and water was found (Rain for example), his tayammum is invalid and he needs to stop solah and take wudhu’ with water.

iii. When one is healed from his sickness and can use water for his wudhu’ or ghusl.

How to Perform Tayammum
i. Make niyah that you want to perform tayammum. In the heart.
ii. Say Bismillah
iii. Strike the clean earth gently with the palms of your hand. If there is excess dust, blow it from your palms.
iv. Pass the palms on your face once.
v. Then wipe the left hand on the back of the right hand up to the wrists once.
vi. Then wipe the right hand on the back of the left hand once.

Clean Earth

Al Maidah 5: 6.

O You who believe! when You intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash Your faces and Your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) Your heads, and (wash) Your feet up to ankles . if You are In a state of Janâba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe Your whole body). but if You are ill or on a journey or any of You comes from answering the call of nature, or You have been In contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and You find no water, Then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith Your faces and hands. Allâh does not want to place You In difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete his Favour on You that You may be thankful.

The word for earth in this verse is – sa’eed. It means the surface of the earth.
So anything on the surface on earth is permissible to be used for tayammum.
For example
– Ground
– Sand
– Rock
– Pebbles
Also one can do tayammum on anything made of clay or mud and is not painted or has wood on it. For example
– Claypot.
– Claybrick wall
– Marble tile.
If they are painted, tayammum is not valid unless you are sure there is dust on it.
So what should you do?
Suggestions
– You can get pieces of marble tiles and make tayammum on it.
– Have some dirt in container.